It was mostly quiet before Wednesday’s deadline, but Thursday got even louder, with the clock ticking to 3 p.m. and the injured Knicks in need of reinforcements.
Will they come?
where do they come from?
After talking to various people around the league, the Post decided the best way to present the options was to give them odds.
4 different options (25% each):
Bruce Brown: 3/1 odds
There is competition for Brown, who has fans in Tom Thibodeau and explained to the Post’s Jared Schwartz why he has good chemistry with the coach.
The Raptors are interested in moving Brown before the deadline, with sources saying the Knicks and Lakers are potential candidates.
According to Yahoo Sports, the Jazz are also keen on Brown.
There are questions about his fit with the Knicks and whether there’s any redundancy next to Josh Hart since he’s a similar player, but Brown is the better offensive creator. The Raptors want to establish a bidding war and are clearly poised to rebuild after releasing OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam.
However, sources said the Knicks are reluctant to part with multiple future first-rounders as they intend to sign them to bigger contracts in the summer.
Brown, 27, who won last year’s NBA championship with the Nuggets, is being paid $22 million this season. He’s a good fit salary-wise with Evan Fournier’s $19 million contract plus all the draft compensation he would need to include from the Knicks.
Alec Burks: 3/1 odds
The Knicks are making a bid for Burks, a guard from the Pistons. It’s not an inspiring choice, but it’s defensible.
The Timberwolves and 76ers are the other two teams that made bids for the guard, sources told the Post on Wednesday afternoon.
It’s unclear whether the Timberwolves’ acquisition of Monte Morris from the Pistons on Wednesday changed their pursuit of Burks, but it’s possible.
Burks, 32, checks several boxes with the Knicks. He is a ball handler and is trusted by Coach Thibodeau, who promoted Burks to starting point guard during the 2021-22 season. Burks can shoot, hitting 39 percent on treys this season and knocking down more than 40 percent in his two seasons with the Knicks. Plus, given his reserved personality, he’s a good fit for the locker room.
However, there are some problems. Number one, Burks’ contract is expiring. Often that’s a good thing. Not so for the Knicks, who will be over the cap heading into next season. According to sources, the Knicks would like to acquire a player with multiple years left on his contract so that he can be used as part of a package to acquire a star player in the summer. Brown, who has a $22 million team option for next season, would be a better fit in this category. Brown will probably be expensive too. Burks, who ranks second, is already 32 years old and is shooting just 38.8 percent from the field.
Someone from the scene: odds 3/1
The Post has heard two names from the group, both of whom play for the Jazz. Spark plug wing scorer Jordan Clarkson and gritty veteran center Kelly Olynyk.
Clarkson would cost the most, but the Jazz don’t have to deal with Clarkson, who has years left on his contract. Officials say Mr. Olynyk is in strong talks with another suitor in Boston.
Blazers point guard Malcolm Brogdon is also reportedly attracting the Knicks’ attention. Brogdon and Clarkson are represented by Klutch Sports, which recently settled with the Knicks after years of icy relations.
The big prize at the deadline is Atlanta’s Dejounte Murray. He’s another clutch client who’s been inactive for a while, but he’s a 27-year-old with All-Star potential.
According to sources, the Knicks have been contacting the Hawks about Murray in recent weeks, but there are reports that Atlanta’s high offer has dampened the Hawks’ interest.
Despite his struggles this season, the Hawks do not plan to sign Murray, as he is under contract through 2027. It would be ugly if they parted ways with Murray for far less than the required three first-round picks (plus exchange). Acquire Murray from the Spurs.
No one: odds 3/1
The Knicks are in tatters and need reinforcements, but Leon Rose has shown patience throughout his tenure, most notably by not putting pressure on Donovan Mitchell in the summer of 2022. Holding off on the trade deadline also increases the possibility of a buyout market. That could include Kyle Lowry. The Knicks still have a twice-a-year exception available to buyout candidates, giving them a financial advantage over other potential candidates.
